Expansion Team #3

Griffiths Riggs

Established 2006

Roughly three hours west of Alberta's capital, Edmonton, lies a small Albertan town called Hinton.  This is the home of the final expansion team, the Griffiths Riggs.  Better known as the G Riggs.  The owner of this new SCHL team, Jason Griffiths, was stoked to say the least when he heard about the news of getting an SCHL team. "What can I say, I love hockey."  A little history behind Jason and his team.  I originally met him, along with Griffin (Coyotes), back in 2000 in Melbourne Australia.  Jason, a huge Habs fan, is already getting his snipes prepared for the big draft in September.  The Riggs is an obvious representation of Alberta's plentiful oil sands.  "But he's from Alberta?" Not to worry boys, he's already making plans to attend this year's draft in September in person.  The Riggs will be playing out of the Ford Centre in Hinton, which only seats 5,000 people.  "I wanted a cozy atmosphere for the Riggs faithful."  You can add Jason to you MSN list boys at jsgrif@hotmail.com

Expansion Team #1

Hesketh Goldminers

Established 2006

Whitehorse, founded 1900, is the capital of Canada’s Yukon Territory.  It was once a sparsely populated tent-and-cabin city, now has a population is 24,000.  Its history is spotted with monumental achievements, however, today is a day the residents will never forget.  Today, Ryan Hesketh Owner/GM has officially announced that the SCHL has awarded this small northern Canadian city a place in the SCHL. "On behalf of the Hesketh Goldminers I would like to thank first and foremost the league for this exceptional opportunity. We are very optimistic that with the right approach success will be the only option. We understand both the challenges and rewards that lie ahead for our franchise, we know what now needs to be accomplished. We are very thrilled for the home-opener at the Klondike Centre.  Thanks to everyone that made this possible and best of luck in the future."  Commish, Blake Johnston was on hand for the announcement.  "Heske had some hurdles to overcome as assistant GM of the Horses, but I feel he's ready to take on his own team.  He's taken a new approach to the SCHL and I think it's shown with the class he's brought to the table.  Here's a guy who will simply out work other GMs and I think Whitehorse residents should expect success in its first couple of seasons."  As noted, the Goldminers will play their games from the brand new Klondike Centre, located in downtown Whitehorse.

Expansion Team #2

Diamantakos Spartans

Established 2006

Located in southern Greece is the town of Sparti, which in English is Sparta.  Sparta had the best army in ancient Greece and fought some of the most horrific battles in Greece's history.  That, however pales in comparison to what there about to face in the SCHL.  Peter Diamantakos, Owner/GM, who won the final SCHL expansion team was ecstatic about the news.  "When I first heard about this league I was hooked.  I spent countless study hours back at Ryerson BSin with Blake over the NHL.  So when I heard there was an opening I pounced.  All I can say is AWESOME!"  Blake Johnston had this to say, "I met Peter at Ryerson around a year ago in a calculus course.  I knew he was he was different guy when he was saying how he liked calculus. We got talking about hockey and I knew he'd be the perfect fit for the SCHL.  Even though he resides in Ontario, I know the league is better off with a guy like this.  A true hockey buff, and I figured if he's Greek and I'm still talking to him, he's got to be a good guy."  The Spartans are going to be playing their hockey in the Olympia Stadium, located in Sparti.

2006 SCHL Awards

So, that's it folks, another season in the books.  I'd like to thank everyone for a great season from top to bottom.  I hope the new SCHL teams enjoyed their first season.  Congrats to Tanner for the most successful season ever in the SCHL.  Also, for the new teams and a reminder for the old teams, the SCHL is shutdown until after the NHL playoffs are over.  Which means there's no trading until the league is reopened!

2006 SCHL Playoffs

Congratulations to the Rattray Rowdy Kilts, who won the most ferocious finals to date. It came down to the wire, but when the dust settled the Kilts were victorious.

Your 2006 Snipers Cup Champions

SCHL FINALS

		V
Preview: Oh the plots lines!! - Teams one and two in the standings - Teams one and two in the points races - The Kilts forth consecutive trip the finals - The Tycoons first trip the finals since winning it in 2001 - Jagr the former Tycoon, Pronger the former Kilt - Two of the best three teams ever - The heated rivalry - The two rumbles during the season- It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize this a battle for the ages! Battle of Scotland
TOTAL	52		TOTAL	48

SEMI-FINALS - SCHL FROZEN FOUR

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	2.5	5	4	2	13	3	5		34.5
		2	4	0	7	3	2		18

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	2.5	2	5	11	4	4	9		37.5
		3	7	2	7	8	7		34

Preview: ROWDY KILTS V BRAHMAS

     The Kilts and Brahmas square off once again, this marking the biggest game ever between these clubs. The Brahmas are only 3-11 all-time VS the Kilts but all that won't matter if they are able to remain consistent to have any hope of toppling the SCHL powerhouse who has lost just once in their past 10. Aside from that one loss to the 79'ers the Kilts have a stellar 9-0 record to show for it with 5 of those games by double digit victories.

     Led by assist man Jaromir Jagr, the Kilts depth seems overwhelming with Hossa, Zetterberg and Brodeur. The Kilts display a team worthy of winning any match-up on a weekly basis. Throw in newcomer Marc Savard, and snipe of the year in Brian Gionta the Kilts become that much more difficult to face. All season long the Kilts have only scored less than 28 points twice, while the Brahmas have done a good job of late cracking 28 points or more, doing so in their past 7 weeks.

     The Brahmas have made some serious moves that really paid off and ultimatly have been the difference in their current positions today. Ryan Miller, Maxim Afinogenov, and Brian Rolston have been instrumental in the Brahmas first ever post season. The Brahmas did have to rely on low scoring weeks to pull out a number of W's and never really dominated for a complete week. GM Sampson was very fortunate to escape the Quarter-Final after a bold prediction nearly came back to haunt him as the injury riddled Barracudas almost pulled out the upset. Lets take a look at the top three scorers on each team

Preview: TYCOONS V 79ERS

     This is what it is all about.  Two powerhouses collide, the final Crosby/Ovy showdown, two teams ready for war.  Last meeting the 79'ers edged out the Tycoons for 33-29 victory costing the Tycoons the PM award.  That I am sure is still very fresh in the mind of GM Blake Johnston and will settle for nothing less than advancing to the finals with another chance to raise the Snipers Cup.  There is one problem, the 79'ers are one of the hottest teams of late and are on all working with all cylinders.  The headstart may end up being the deciding factor in a match-up that could yet be another see-saw battle for the 79'ers.

      Alexander Ovechkin has simply been the type of player that plays with a exuberant amount of intensity, is a shoe in for the Calder and will still finish in the top pack for the Hart voting.  Aside from Ovy the Tycoons rely on Hemsky, Kiprusoff and Selanne to get the job done.  The Tycoons found themselves a franchise goal man and goaltender this year and are now in a position to win the ultimate prize.  The resurrection of Teemu Selanne has provided the added depth to an already very capable roster.  Kipper is always capable on changing a week and will consistently be a top goaltender, another young solid asset that works well under pressure.  Tycoons will really need a well rounded week to advance and cannot afford a late collapse against a fiery 79'ers.

 The 79'ers have found their identity at the right time.  It has led them to the "Frozen Four" and their next stop is against the Tycoons.  This game has all the makings of a classic due to very sound rosters.  Brad Richards has really turned up the heat in the past month seemingly setting up all of tampa's goals.  He is a very dangerous ingredient that has really caught fire.  Crosby, Thorton, Samsonov and Lundqvist shape up a 79'ers line-up that can go the distance.  This team has gelled at the right time but need to continue with hard pressure to cut the lead early.

 Tycoons

 Alexander Ovechkin -  71GP, 48G, 46ASS - 94 PTS - Rookie of the year and an instant superstar,  With all the hype of Crosby, Ovy has done more than enough to not only prove he is the best rookie but one of the best in the game.  Great passion and general love for the game, avery exciting player to watch.

Teemu Selanne - 71GP, 34G, 44ASS - 78 PTS - Easily comeback player of the year.  Teemu has been a vital part of Burke's success in Anaheim.  It looked all but over a short while ago for Teemu, it is nice to see he still has this much talent.

Ales Hemsky - 74 GP, 17G, 53ASS - 70 PTS - Hemsky filled the AM role nicely when Johnstone made the change from Koivu.  An excellent player that is only going to get better in the years to come.  He a solid contributor to the team and pairs up nicely with Pronger.

 Miikka Kiprusoff - 37W - 20L 2.19 GAA, 8 - Miikka is a very real threat every game he plays in especially if he gets settled.  8 SO's on the year, a remarkable GAA given the changes to the league, make Kippo a top rated goaltender and a difference maker. 

 79'ers 

Brad Richards - 73GP, 21G, 60ASS - 81 PTS - One of the hottest players right now.  Richards has been more than adequate all season long to consistently be a top ranked Assist Man.  This week will be his toughest test but has already shown ,as in the above caption, he can produce when the team needs it most.

Joe Thorton - 71GP, 25G, 81ASS - 106 PTS - This guy has exploded, period.  Unbelievable year for Thorton and has settled in rather nicely in San Jose.  A franchise centre that has now emerged into the scoring machine he was projected to become. 

Sidney Crosby - 72GP, 32G, 50ASS - 82 PTS - Sid the kid has had an excellent rookie campaign.  He would have learned quite an amount of knowledge from all the veteran superstars throughout the course of the year.  He will only get better from here, there is no question about that.  This needs to be a productive week for Crosby.

Henrik Lundqvist - 30W, 11L 2.18 GAA, 2 SO - Another potential snipe of the draft, Henrik Lundqvist has been sensational.  He has played very well boasting a 2.18 GAA during the season.  A key element of the 79'ers success, although, not a huge SO threat. GM Steier needs Lundqvist to be on top of his game this week in order to propel the 79'ers to the SCHL Finals.

 Again, this is going to be a battle.  Both teams MM are playing very well and all are very dangerous threats.  This match-up will come down too not only the MM but also the supporting cast.  This looks like the potential of being a shootout week and should be a fun one to keep an eye on.  In the end the Tycoons should prevail and advance to the SCHL Finals.  Tycoons are favoured to win by five.

Round 2

Preview:

After an astonishing come back on the Jawas, things for the Millionaires don't get any easier, as they now have to face the Rowdy Kilts.   The good news for the Millionaires is they have the team that can beat any team, it's just they don't always show up every week.  The Kilts enter this match with a 3.5 head start.  This season the Millionaires beat the Kilts 37-30 and all time the Kilts are 5-1 v the Millionaires.  This season's loss to the Millionaires is their first loss in their SCHL career.   This should be a serious rumble as two premier division foes go at it!

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	3.5	4	7	3	8	7	1		33.5
		2	2	5	4	3	2		18

Preview:

Teams two and three in the WG race (which flips weekly) face off in a monstrous second round match up.   This season these two foes are 1-1, with both times the winner getting 46 points.  Also, both teams are in the top five of the power rankings.   This should be big rumble.

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	3.5	6	1	6	4	9	4		33.5
		0	1	5	1	3	1		11

Preview: The Barracudas healthy or not, should thank for lucky stars for being in the post season, let alone a bye.   The Brahmas can also thank their lucky stars they have a meeting against the Cudas.  The Brahmas have a real chance here to make a SCHL drive if they can get past the injury riddled Barracudas.

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	1.5	1	6	4	5	2	4		23.5
		1	3	7	5	3	3		22

Preview:

For the first time in their SCHL career, the 79ers have won a playoff round and are now on a roll cranking out points like their going out of style.   The Horses are limping into the playoffs with weak MM.  Both teams have talked a big game over the years with little results.   All time 5-2 in favour of the 79ers.

	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
	0.5	5	6	0	10	1	7		29.5
		6	5	2	2	10	7		32

Round 1

	Preview: The defending champs limp into the post season with help from the new divisional format.  They've been very streaky this season, getting some massive weeks, but then turning around and losing to some of the weakest teams in the league.  In round 1 they'll face the highest non-bye team in the 79ers.  The 79ers have never won a playoff round in their history and have had money man problems all season long.  The 79es are 6th on the current power rankings, while the Flash are 7th.  The good news for the Flash is their teams ability to post massive weeks.  If Kovalchuk can find the net, along with Gomez getting points, their 7 point head start against will look like small fry when the week is over.  All Time (3-3)	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
		7	6	7	3	2	10	3	10	48
			2	5	3	4	9	8	8	39

	Preview: After five straight seasons of DNQing, the Brahmas once again are in the post season.  It has been a fantastic year for the Brahmas who have made some guru trades to climb to the top of the league once more.  They'll go into this matchup against the Behemoths with a three point head start.  The Behemoths, in their opening season in the SCHL, have found a way to squeek into the season.  The Behemoths will need their goal man, Milan Hejduk, to catch fire if they want to have any chance of moving to the 2nd round.  Good news for the Behemoths are the four Canuck games this week, that Auld is sure to start.  Look for this match to come to the wire.	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
		5	6	0	8	2	2	1	9	33
			6	4	4	3	5	1	4	27

	Preview: The Gryphons are the hottest team in the SCHL at the moment.  After 52 monster points the Gryphons now face the Silver Division champs with a meager 3 point head start.  The Tornadoes will hope the Gryphons cool down and Cheechoo continues his hot pace to stand a chance against the 2nd best team points wise.  Their only meeting this year was won 28-23 by the Gryphons.	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
		3	9	1	8	6	3	1	6	37
			6	5	5	4	1	5	10	36

	Preview: After such high hopes and a great start, the Millionaires have taken a nose dive.  Clearly a team not ready for the post season, they open Round 1 against the upstart Jawas.  The Jawas will be hopng the Sedins continue their excellent play.  The Jawas are a scary team to play, now with great forwards a goalie and decent D.  However, on any given night the Millionaires have the ability to hammer every single team in the SCHL.  All Time (7-7), while going 1-1 this seaosn.  This should be a clean match with no head starts.	HS	Sun.	Mon.	Tues.	Wed.	Thurs.	Fri.	Sat.	Total
		--	8	2	9	3	3	5	12	42
			3	7	11	8	7	2	3	41